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 Each day feels new, and my memory of the one before is faint. I’m learning to adapt. |
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In September 2019, a seizure revealed a lime-sized meningioma pressed against my hippocampus—the part of the brain that governs memory and language. The doctors said it was benign, but benign didn’t mean harmless. Surgery removed the tumor, and three days later I opened my eyes to a new reality. I could walk, I could talk, but when I looked at my wife, her name was gone. I called her Precious—the only word I could find. A failure of memory, yet perhaps the truest name of all. Recovery has been less cure than re-calibration. Memory gaps are frequent. Conversations vanish. I had to relearn how to write, letter by halting letter. My days are scaffold by alarms, notes, and calendars. When people ask how I am, I don’t list symptoms or struggles. I simply say, “Seven Degrees Left of Center.” It’s not an answer—it’s who I’ve become. Note ▼ |
| I spent all day yesterday working on a project. I wanted to learn 3rd Person Limited POV. Just as I was starting to understand the POV, it was time to quit for the day. That meant it was bedtime. Well, this morning, as usual, I remember working on something, but it's gone. I'm going to spend this morning reading my notes and researching 3rd Person Limited POV again till it sticks. |
| My mechanical keyboard clicks on. The sound isn’t steady, not like a metronome. My hands shake, my timing wavers, but the clicks still come. And each one is proof of progress. The rhythm is imperfect, but that makes it more honest. Every sound is a marker that thought has made it onto the page despite hesitation, despite difficulty. Each click carries weight: not just letters forming words, but effort overcoming resistance. Writing has never been about silence for me. The sound matters. It reminds me that words are real, physical things — crafted through touch, not just floating on a screen. For some, the clatter of keys is nostalgic. For me, it is proof. The keyboard clicks on, uneven but unstoppable. So do I. |
| My writing wrestles with complexity vs. simplicity: Simplicity has power. A clean sentence, one striking image, or a single line of dialogue can carry more punch than a page of ornate detail. Simplicity makes the work breathable and memorable. Hemingway leaned on this. Complexity has depth. Layered structure, subtext, interwoven perspectives, or shifting timelines create richness that sticks with a reader long after. Think Toni Morrison or David Mitchell. The trick isn’t to pick one—it’s to orchestrate the tension between them. - A story that’s all simplicity risks feeling thin. - A story that’s all complexity risks collapsing under its own weight. But if you pair them—clean prose delivering layered ideas, or a complex structure handled with deceptively simple language—you get writing that feels both accessible and profound. A better phrase: Simplicity is how you deliver. Complexity is what you deliver. |
| As I learn to use AI tools for writing. I have grown some respect. These are the three tools I have found most useful: Grammarly and ProWritingAid for editing grammar and spell checking. Part of my brain problem is the difficulty I have with communicating with my hands. Additionally, I have a short-term memory issue. ChatGPT is helping me stay focused. So, in fairness, I’m adding this note to my creations. Note ▼ |
| I spent this morning reviewing and correcting some posts. Sometimes I hit save too early. |
Please, no flaming. This is just an experiment in using AI. The text is 98% AI. I didn’t think about it at the time, but I should have color-coded or somehow marked my edits. This was the input question: Can you write a short 200 word blog post about using AI to write the post? “In the age of artificial intelligence, creating content has never been more accessible. Today, I decided to put AI to the test by having it assist me in writing this blog post. The process was both fascinating and enlightening, highlighting how AI can be a powerful partner for writers of all backgrounds. To start, I prompted the AI with my topic and a word count goal. Instantly, it generated a well-structured draft, complete with an introduction, main body, and conclusion. I was impressed by the AI’s ability to organize thoughts coherently and adhere to my instructions. The suggestions weren’t just generic—they reflected a keen understanding of writing style and tone. Using AI didn’t mean handing over all creative control. Instead, I found it to be a collaborative process. I reviewed the draft, made some tweaks, and added my personal touch. The AI helped me overcome writer’s block and provided inspiration when I needed it most. Writing this post with AI reminded me that technology can enhance creativity rather than replace it. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just getting started, AI offers valuable support, making the writing process smoother and more enjoyable.” Do you find AI tools useful when you are writing? |
| My brain hurts. This week I focused on finishing a short story. The story is over 11000 words. Of course, that doesn't mean the story is good; it is done. Something is refreshing about finishing a project. Yet, I still want to go back to it and tweak it. I find it difficult just to let a project go. Good, bad, or ugly, at some point, you have to move on to the next project. So goodbye to "Secrets of Forever"  and hello to an action/adventure idea. |
| I find that question stressful and exciting. Rejection is a given in the writer's craft. There is article after article on expecting rejection. Not mentioned as often is acceptance. Acceptance is stressful and exciting too. Write on ... |
| When you share your writing, it will influence those who read it to some degree. I mean, that is what writing is about, isn't it? The art of communicating influence? Influence is a topic I am learning. What am I trying to influence in Seven Degrees Left of Center? The short sentence, "Encouragement to be patient in healing and brave in sharing the experience." However, that is starting to take on a different goal. After five years, my brain has recovered and adapted as much as it is going to. My entries in this blog are mostly self-serving. I've been encouraging myself to keep writing. Now, I would like to encourage others to write and share their experiences. I know this blog doesn't get many views. But, if you are reading this, I encourage you to write with the knowledge that what you write and share will influence someone along the way. It is scary to share thoughts and experiences. It is rewarding to know someone might be encouraged because of it. |
| I admire the people who can achieve the five, 7 badges in a week. This will be just one day for me. So I'll keep this short. Write on ... Write on ... |
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